Domestic appliance



Nov. 17; 1942. :1. B. DYER 2,302,012

DOMESTIC APPLIANCE l 1 'l l WMZ) KYENTnR..

Nov. 17, 1942. J. B. DYx-:R

DOMESTIC PPLIANCE Filed June 21. 1938 9l sheets-sheet 2 INVENTOR E ATTOAHYS Nov. 17, 1942. J B, YER 2,302,012

DOMESTIC APPL'LAHGE Filed June 21, 19:58y I 9 sheets-sheet s ATTO NOV.17, 1942. J,'B DYER DOMESTIC APPLIANCE Filed June 21, 1938 9vSheets-Sheet 4 www Nov. 17, 1942. J. B. DYER 2,302,012

' DOMESTIC APPLIANCE Filed June 21. 19:58 9 sheets-sheet 5 QINVENTQKNov. 17, 1942. 1B. DYER 2,302,012V

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J. B. DYER DOMESTIC APPLIANGE' Filed June 21. 1938 L/OB OPERATION 9Sheets-Sheet 8 FILL TUB vARxABLE WASH PERIOD SPIN WASH WIR INTORESERVOIR I3 PUMP RINSE 11N'ro TUB AGITATE. RINSE. *1

SPIN mNsri mo SEWER PUMP Rmsaz. INTO' TUB AGITATE Rmsez SPIN Rinse'z Nromuse. F1 RESERVOIR ARM 9 1 OPENS SWITCH 1.15 AND TOPS v MOTORiB QEENTOR. ATTORN.

Nov. 17, 1942. y J. B. nvr-:R 2,302,012

DOMESTIC APPLIANGE Filed June 21, 1938 9 Sheets-Sheet. 9

Patentedl Nov. 17, 1942 DOMESTIC APPLIANCE John B. Dyer, Dayton, Ohio,assignor to General Motors Corporation, Dayton, Ohio, a corporation oi'Delaware Application June 21, 19238, Serial No. 214,962 5 claims. (ci.Iss-2s) This invention relates to domestic appliances.

An object of this invention is to provide a washing machine having asingle vertically rotatable and vertically oscillatable Y tub in. whichthe clothes may be placed, and in which the various washing operationsare performed automatically until the clothes have been washed, dried,rinsed, dried and further rinsed and dried the ynecessary number oftimes, all operations being performed without removing lthe clothes fromthe tub,

Another object of this invention yis to provide 4 invention will beapparent from the following description, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, wherein a preferred form of the present inventionis clearly shown.

In the drawings:

portion of my'improved washing machine taken along the lines lof Fig. 4;Y

Fig. 2 is another vertical cross-section of the lower portion of myimproved washing machine and taken from the side opposite Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-section, taken trans- .2o Fig. 1 is avertical cross-section of the upper versely to Figs. 1 and 2 and alongline 3 3 in l Fig. 4;

Fig. 4 is a horizontal cross-section taken along the line 4 4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a view in perspective of the exterior `of the washing machine;

. Fig. 6 is a front view of a portion of the outer casing; 4

Fig. 7 is a cross-section of a control mechanism of the washing machine;

Fig. 8 is a cross-section taken along the lines 8 8 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectiontaken along the line 8 3 of Fig. '1: l

Fig. 10 is a cross-section taken along the lin |0 |0 ofFig.7;

Figs. 1l to 1'7 inclusive are cross-sectional views taken along thelines to i1 inclusive of Fig. 7;

Fig. 18 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of a portion of the machinetaken underneath and adjacent the top and showing the control of .anelectrical switch by the cover handle locking cam;

Figs. 19, 20 and 21 are cross-sections of solef noi'd mechanisms whichmaybe used with my in- I vention;

Fig. 22 is a wiringdiagram to indicate the connection between thecontrols andthe devices be- 4 ing controlled;

Fig. 23 is a chart indicating the various operations in chronologicalorder which are caused 'to b e operated by the control mechanism;

Fig. 24 shows a float switch placed in each of the liquid reservoirs tocontrol the water level signals; j

Fig. 25 is a diagrammatic drawing to show the liquid flow connectionsand controls; and

Fig. 26 is a view showing a float valve control for the intakes of thepump for use when empty ing all of the reservoirs. l

My improved washing machine preferably comprises an outer casing I0, inwhich is mounted a vertically rotatable and vertically oscillatable tubIl, a rotating and oscillating mechanism I2 therefor, and, if desired;solution and water containing reservoirs I3, I4 and I5, which maycontain at various times washing liquids, such as a washing solution,and the proper number of rinses. In addition, the washing machineincludes automatic or manual controls, hereinafter to be more fullydescribed, for causing the tub to be rotated or oseillated at the propertime, and` the proper liquids to be introduced into the tub, to be laterdrained during the drying operations to the proper receptacles, so thatcertain of the liquids can be used in washing subsequent batches ofclothes.

The casing II) includes a cover I5, and a drain trough i1. The draintrough il is provided with suitable drain pipes, hereinafter more fullydescribed, which are provided with controls for directing the extractedliquid to the proper reservoir or tothe sewer.

The tub preferably includes an inwardly directed rim I8, which isslightly spaced from the main body of the tub, to provide. a dischargeopening, or openings, at I9. The tub is provided with verticallydisposed baiiles 2|), whichy agitate the clothes. The tub is mounted ona rotatable and oscillatable shaft 2|, which is provided with auniversal joint 22 at its upperend and with a universaljoint 23 at itslower end. The shaft 2| is mounted within the bearing f sleeve 24,having bearingsl and 26 for the shaft 2|, said bearing sleeve 24 beingsupported on a flexible metallic vdiaphragm 21 by means of bolts 28.YThe construction is such that the tub II is free to 'rock about theuniversal joint 22, but is.

in torsional engagement with the shaft 2|. The bearing sleeve 24 canrock slightly due to the flexible support at 21, thus allowing the shaft2| to rock slightly about the universal joint 23, but tending tomaintain the shaft 2| in a substantially vertical position. The lowerhalf ofthe as the flrst -rinse `water for the next subsequent batch ofclothes.

The foregoing operations are performed by proper relay controlsinitiated mainly by the control mechanism shown in Fig. '7, which, byproper cam operations, closes the proper switches to en-vergize thenecessary solenoid valves, solenoid clutches, etc.

The main motor 48 is drivingly connected, by means yof belt 80, with a.pulley 8| forming a part of the control mechanism shown in Fig; '7. Thepulley 8|, by proper gear reduction mechanism in box 82, drives thecone-shaped gear 83 at a reduced rate. The gear 83 is engageably anddisengageably connected to the internal gear wheel 84 to drive the shaft85 at a slow speed.

The shaft 85 is longitudinally movable by the' handle 86, through thecrank 81 to bring into engagement or disengagement the gears 83 and 84.When the gears are disengaged by movement of handle 86, the shaft 85 canbe positioned at any initial starting adjustment by means of thepositioning knob 88 for initiating the Wash- The first manipulation ofthe knob 88 is such as to set the drive crank 90 a proper angulardistance from the driven pin 9|. This permits the drive shaft 85 to berotated a selected period of time before the members 90 and 9| come intodriving engagement. The time that shaft 85 rotates before the members 90and 9| engage each other is the period A during which the tub II isfilled with soap solution and the period B during which the clothes areagitated in the soap solution. 'Ihis period B is adjustably selectableto ,provide a variable wash period, of a length desired by the user,during which the clothes are agitated in the'soap solution. After thememthe distance ,between members 90 and 9|.

Fig. 22 shows the action of the various cams.

ritter the clothes have been placed in the tub Il, the cover I6 isclosed and the soap solution and rinses are placed in reservoirs I3, I4and I5. The handle 98 of the cover is turned to cause the cam 99, whichis on the handle shaft, to turn to lock the cover I6 under. the edge ofthe rim |00 ofthe casing of the machine to lock the cover' in place andat the same time close the contacts of the master switch |02. Switch |02is a lmaster switch which permits the energization of the various unitsonly as long as the cover is lockedl in closed position. The reservoirsI3, I4 and I5 are provided with oat switches |03, of the character shownin Fig. 24, which close their respective contacts, and illuminate thesignals I04 when the respective reservoirs are properly filled. rThesereservoirs are filled by filling pipes |3a, Ila and I5a under manualcontrol. The handle 08 is then moved outwardly to disengage the gears 83and 84 and the knob 88 is turned to the proper index (see Fig. 6) toprovide the desired washing period B. The'handle'86 is then released, sothat the spring I 05 moves the shaft 85 to the left and engages thegears 8 3 and 84. The cam I 0I is provided with a following switch |06,carried by a movable arm |01, so that when the shaft 85 is initiallypositioned at its selected position the contacts |08 of the switch |06are closed and remain closed a suflicient length of time to pump thesoap solution from the reservoir I3 into the tub II. The closing ofcontacts |08 energizes the pump clutch I I2 and the soap solution. valve69 to cause the pumping operation.l The contacts |08 remain closed asumcient length of time to permit al1 of the liquid to' be transferredfrom the reservoir I3 into the tub II. During all this time the tub IIis being oscillated, since the/solenoid 31 is unenergized, and when itis so unenergized the tub drive is in the oscillating position. The tubII continues to be oscillated for the selected wash period of time B,determined by the initial setting of the angular distance between themembers and 9|. Contacts |08 open after a fixed period of time.A andbefore the members 90 and 9| come into engagement.

After the members 90 and 9| come into engagement, the shaft 85u beginsto rotate and the cam 92 moves to close contacts |09, as indicated bythetime sheet of Fig. 23 period C. The clos,- ing of the contacts |09energizes the solenoid 31 and thus changes the tubv drive fromoscillation to spinning and causes the clothesvto be centrifuged for asuitable period of time, as long as the corresponding knob and cam 92keeps the switch `|09 closed. The soap solution, during thiscenytrifuging period is discharged into the trough I1 and from thenceflows through the pipe 13 and valve 14 back into the reservoir I3. Thevalve 'I4 is of the character shown in Fig. 20, and, when unenergized,causes liquid to flow into the pipe 15 rather than into the pipe 16.

The next operation D takes place, as indicated by Fig. 23, when cams 95and 96 close their respective switches |I0 and III. The closing ofswitch |I0 energizes the pump solenoid I I2, which, by the means oflever |I3 engages the pump clutch II4 and drives the pump 60. At thesame time the closing of the switch I I| energzes the solenoid valve68`of the reservoir I4 and causes the pump' 60 to pump 'the first rinsewater from reservoir I4 into tub II. At this time, the cam 92 has openedthe switch |09 and thus the tub is being oscillated, so that the firstrinse water remains in the tub Il and is agitated with the clothes forthe selected period f time D and E during and after the pump operation.

After the clothes have been properly agitated duringV period E, the cams92, 93, 94, 95 and.96

close their respective contacts |09, 2I2, II3, IIIl and III duringperiod F to cause.thefrst rinse water to be discharged from tub II intosewer connection 63. The closing of switch |09 causes the tub to spin.The closing of switch 2|2 energizes solenoid Valve 14, so that the rinsewater being centrifuged ows through pipes 13 and 18 into the reservoirI4. The closing of the contacts I I3 energizes the solenoid valve 10, sothat the discharge from the pump, and from reservoir I4, arev directedto the sewer connection 63 to pipe il. The closing of switch I|0energizes the pump clutch. and the closing of yswitch III energizesvalve 68, so that the pump 60 can remove the soiled first rinse waterfasfast as it is returned teo reservoir I4 and can discharge it to thesewer Thereafter operation G takes place during which the second rinseis pumped from reservoir I5 into tub II, which is oscillated during thelperiod. Cam 95 keeps the switch IIO closed. and

ing operations are stopped and the tube is causedv to oscillate for theproper lengthv of time.

Thereafter, during period I, the nal centrifugal spinning action takesplace andthe second rinse Iwater is directed into reservoir |4-for usewith the next subsequent'batch of clothes because cams 92 and 93 closetheir respective contacts |09 and ||2 to spin the tub and to energizevalve 14 and direct the extracted rinse water into reservoir i4.

The continued rotation of the control dlevice brings the arm 9| intoengagement with the switch I|5"(Fig. 9) to open its contacts. Theopening of contacts ||5 stops the motor 491 and stops all operations, sothat the washed and dried clothes can be removed from the tub during theindeiinitely long period ot time J during which all -washingoperationsare stopped. The next subsequent batch of clothes can be inserted in tubduring this period J. The/reservoir |5 can be reillled with rinse water,the control reset, and washing operations can be repeated on the nextbatch of clothes as previously described. I When it is desired to emptythe machine of all liquids, thesdrain switch ||6 is turned to the drainposition. The turning of this switch (indicated by dotted line ||6 inFig. 22) closes contact |11a and ||8v to |22. The closing of switch ||1energizes motor 48 and valve39. The closing of switches H9 to |2|energizes valve 10, pump clutch solenoid H2, and valves 61 and 60respectively. The closing of contacts ||1 energizes motor 49 andl theclosing of contacts |22 of time to pump the soap solution from reservoirThe switch |06, and arm |01, remain frictionally in the same place untilthe knob of cam |0| has passed and opened the switch |06 to terminatethe pumping action. Thereafter the lug |28 moves the arm |01counterclockwise to be ready to be again set by lug |29 when the machineis reset., During the refsetting operation the cam |0| is moved to theright by the movement of handle 86, (Fig. 7) so that the cam 0| does notenegage switch |06 during the resetting operation.

'I'he shaft85a constantly is under a, clockwise (as viewed in Fig. 9)turning impulse under the action of spring |30, so that it moves fromthe position shown in Fig. 9 only when turned by ldrive crank 90. Whenthe control mechanism is reset by the user, the shaft 85a is returned tothe Fig. 9 position by spring |30 and is held with pin 9| against stop|3| until drive crank 90 again comes in contact with pin 9|.

The float valves placed at the intakes of the pump 60 may be of anydesired construction. As indicated in Figs. 2, 4 and '26, the valves mayinclude an arm |50, pivoted at |5|. The arm |50 carries a float |52which slides over the end l53 of the pump intake and seals the same.this construction, the pump 60 can withdraw liquidfrom 'all threereservoirs I3, I4 and I5 as long as they al1 contain liquid. As any oneor causes the tub to spin. The tub Il, before the switch ||6 ismanipulated can bescrubbed with water which remains in the tub until thecover I6 is closed and switch IIB is manipulated. As the tub then spins,the water in the tub is: cen- If it is thus desired to empty allreservoirs at the same time with the single pump above the level of thereservoirs, a suitable ilcat valve can be provided at the intakes cfeach of the reservoirs 3, |4 and |5, the iioat valve being shown in Fis.26. These iloat valves slide into place when their respective reservoirsbecome empty and close their respective pump suction lines, so that thepump can empty any reservoirs'stlll containing liquid. g A f It is to beunderstood that, if desired, the pumpen can be placed below thereservoirs |81; I4 and I5, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 25; andthen the float valves can be omitted. The relative position `of theseparts can be changed. The reservoirs I3, I4 and I5 need not be placedinside the casing I0. but may be o n the outside may be maintained.

The mechanism which causes the switch |90 to follow properly the cam`|0|is provided. 'I'he of the casing and the automatic operation still arm|01 is frictionally held in any position by hub |24. The hub |24 ispulled against support |25 by spring |29 and sleeve |21, so that arm |01tends to remain wherever last positioned. The gear wheel Ilias two lugs|28 and |29 'which more of these reservoirs become empty, the re-' asherein disclosed, constitutes a preferred form,

versal joint at vthe lower end of said drive shaft,

driven clutch means connected to said last named universal joint in tubsupporting relationship, and a rotating clutch member and an oscillatingclutch member selectively engageable with said driven clutch means,selectively to' impart aro tating or an oscillating movement to `saidtub, and

y to support the weight of said-tub when in engagement with said drivenclutch means.

2. A washing machine comprising a vertically disposed tub, meansselectively to rotate or oscillate said tube including driven clutchmeans connected to said tub and forming the main support for said tub, arotating driving clutch member having a vertically disposed axis, anoscillating driving. clutch member having la vertically disposed axis,and means selectively to engage either of said driving clutch memberswith the lower part of said driven clutch means to form the main supportfor said tub and driven clutch means by a relative axial movement ofsaid driving clutch members.

3. A washing machine comprising a motor relatively rigidly supported ina frame, a rotatingl driving clutch member and an oscillating drivingclutch member relatively rigidly mounted on said frame and drivinglyconnected 4to said motor, a tub having a vertical axis of rotation andfreely suported with respect to said frame, a vertically disposed driveshaft having a universal joint connection at its upper end with said tuband a universal joint supporting connection at its lower end, drivenclutch means connected with said last named universal joint in tubsupporting relationship, and means selectively to engageV either of saiddriving clutch members with said driven clutch means, said drivingclutch members having -vertical axes of rotation and being movable intoengagment with said driven clutch means alternately to support theweight of said tube through said driven clutch member.

4. A washing machine comprising a vertically 'disposed tub, a laterallyresiliently mounted vertical drive shaft supporting said tub, drivenclutch means connected to said shaft, avrotating driving to engage saiddriven clutch means and the other of said driving clutch members beingin engagement with and supporting said driven clutch Y means when saidfirst named driving clutch means is not in engagement therewith.

5. A washing machine driving mechanism comprising a tub, a verticaldriving shaft for said tub having a substantially universally rockablysupported sleeve bearing, said shaft being vertically slidable in saidbearing, a universal joint at the lower end of said shaft substantiallyconcentric with therocking center of said bearing, a driven clutchdrivingly connected to said shaft through said universal joint, arotating driving clutch and an oscillating driving clutch below saiddriven clutch, one of said driving clutches normally supporting saiddriven clutch in normal engagement and the other of said drivingclutches being vertically movable to lift said driven clutch from saidnormal engagement and into engagement 'with said last named drivingclutch.

' JOHN B. DYER.

